Sleeping Bag Help

[The Warrior]

I hope you find something in your price range - it's a pretty tall order really. Most bags will set you back 3x-4x that.....

I hear ya, it is a tall order. Sucks that the expanda panels cost more than the damn bag does. That's ridiculous.

 

[fmajor007]

Bait n switch!!!!

 

[The Warrior]

Bait n switch!!!!

Yep, that's where they get ya.

 

[spoolup]

do you have any pics of the kifaru bag compressed right next to a woobie or doobie inside their stuff sack? i have a woobie and the new multicam doobie coming soon and looking to buy their slick bag for next winter. thanks.

I have and still use with the family Wiggys bags. Not much wrong with them for car camping or emergency use. Its hiking the dam things that suck balls. I humped mine for a bit over 2 years maybe 3. Then came across some funds I picked up so Kifaru bags. WOW, why didnt I do this earlier. Lighter, smaller, they work just as well. Been to temp ratings on both and have no issues. but alas, they cost more... alot more. Add in the extra cost of the stuff sack (which is very slick how they work) they cost more. Would I buy them again... yes, thinking about picking up a 20 slick wide long as a mock MOB over my other 0 slick std long. That would give me both options or allow me to supply a friend to start going out with me, sometimes someone to talk to on a 3 day outting is nice.

Here is a copy and paste from my post at kifaru forums

Well, since there was not a forum for regulator bags, but that I am talking weights and sizes, I figured this forum was the better of the choices available.

Decided to do a few photos and weight measurements between my old Wiggys bags, and the new Kifaru bags I bought while overseas this last time. There is not much of this type of comparison data on line anywhere, so feel free and ask me if you want something different done.

First up standard weights of the stuff sacks/ bags.

Kifaru Stuff Sack- SMALL 2.4oz
Kifaru Stuff Sack- MEDIUM 2.6oz
Kifaru Stuff Sack- LARGE 3.1oz
Granite Gear tubular Stuff Sack- X-LARGE 6.8oz
Wiggys Stuff Sack- XX-LARGE 7.8oz

Kifaru, 0* slick 3lbs 1.1oz
Kifaru, 0* MOB 3lbs 15.9oz
Kifaru, 20 slick 2lbs 6 oz
Wiggys, 0* 5lbs 2.4oz
Wiggys, 20* 4lbs 9.4oz

All Kifaru bags tested are Std width, Long Length
All Wiggys bags tested are Wide width, Long Length

First I need to apologize in great length, I know I took the photo, but cannot find it, but there is no 20 slick and 20 Wiggy comparisons, but for sake of arguments, its just as close as the 0 slick and 0 Wiggys. Infact minus thickness, one would not know which was which unless I labeled the photo. Sorry again, anyways….

I have used the Wiggys bags the past few years with great success. I have also pushed the limit on each bags temp rating and found them to be accurate. For the elk hunt in 09, I had to combine them when sleeping in my Eureka Alpenlite, I was nice and warm (still 15 degress above temp limit), but the 0 would not have worked since I stopped looking at the thermometer at -10, but it got much colder. The Kifarus have yet to be really tested, the only thing I have done is sleep on the patio on a night where Mr weather man said. Low of 20 0 chance of precep. I was out there on a downmat 9 dx and slept like a baby in a set of smartwool lightweights, and socks. Actual field testing coming this spring, and man, can I not wait… just look at weights and one can tell why. But wait till you see the photos…

First up is the Kifaru 0 slick bag and the Wiggys 0. Again like noted above, the Wiggys is wide/long, the Kifaru is std/long. But the Kifaru give you great width in the chest, that I have a hard time telling them apart from the inside. Kifaru on Left, Wiggys on Right. Everything seems even so far.

Next are the compression sacks, Kifaru 5 string on top, the granite gear tubular sack I used with the wiggys since it makes for a nice package that just fits the ZXR bottom flap. Kifaru out did themselves on these stuff sacks. Everyone who has seen them are thoroughly impressed including the sales rep at REI when I was looking for a drybag for the spring months. The 0 slick or MOB both fit a Medium stuff sack just fine.

Next up, I stuff them in the sacks, but did not compress them… yes, these are both 0* bags. Yes, that is a hell of a difference already.

Compressed with the std Nalgeen for size comparison, now the extra money is starting to show thru

And the stuff sacks rotated 90*, now you really see a difference

Next up is the Kifaru 0 MOB, this is like the outer bag on the MSS or FTRSS setups. It weighs a bit more since its larger to fit outside easily, has extra snaps/ Velcro/ zippers/ etc. The extra zippers are for emergency garment use, field observation, etc. I have yest to buy the sleeves since they are not available right now so I need to wait until they become available, but I will buy them and a few other things in the packlock lineup.

0MOB on left, 0 slick on right, both Kifaru bags (sorry didn’t feel like re stuffing the 0 Wiggys since it sucks to do so.

And compressed, again the Kifaru MOB is in a Medium stuff sack, the Wiggys 0 is still in the Granite Gear tubular sack.

Next up is the 20 slick and 20 Wiggys. I used this 20 Wiggys A LOT since it always seems to drop below 40 except for a few months in the summer, so I always pack this, as you can tell it compresses a lot nicer than the 0, so be it in the same XL Granite gear tubular stuff sack. This combo fits great in the bottom of the ZXR. The 20 slick bag from Kifaru is in a Small stuff sack, and is the Bees Knee. I so cant wait to start using this. I am dropping A LOT of weight on this mod alone, from 5lbs to 2.5 lbs, just in sleeping bags (well including stuff sacks too). HOLY CRAP batman. I really don’t know why I waited so long to do this.

Seriously look at that difference. But when I was double checking some of my figures, I thought I would drop this photo on you for an idea on size.

I was to lazy to swap out the 20 to the 0 on the Wiggys bags, but still EVEN with the Wiggys 20 in stuff sack, I was able to take both the 0MOB AND 20 slick in a Kifaru Large stuffsack and make a equally sized package. This -35f combo takes up as much room as my old 20*bag. Next time someone sees me on the trail, feel free to give me a Gibbs from NCIS smack on the back of the old grape –k-. Now this -35f combo weighs a bit more (6.5lbs, stuff sack and all), but when you think the 0 Wiggys weighs in at 5lbs 9 oz with sack… It’s really only one lb more for 35 degree extra difference.

I will probally be a preacher of kifaru bags after my first few uses, since I am certain they are worth their little weight in gold… stuffing… well whatever so be it. Thumbs up to the Kifaru team! Hope no one minds me adding this here.

END of copy and paste, have I used them, quite a bit, am I happy still, yes. On the elk hunt this year we were pretty luck, didnt get as cold as 2 years back when I stopped looking at the thermometer at -10F, but it got MUCH colder, the water froze in the MSR dromedary bag as well as the 5 gallon MWC. This year only ended up using the 0* MOB while shacking in the 8man tipi (PM me for photos since I dont want to subtract from the OPs question). But in the photos above he can see the stuff size difference between wiggys and Kifaru. Again nothing seriously wrong with either, just for packing use, I would recommend staying away from Wiggys unless really tight for cash, since they are much cheaper. Hope you dont mind the post.

 

[mqqn]

Hi TW -

I am about the same height and a little less weight (250) - I bought a Wenzel mummy bag a few years ago and I use it for motorcycle trips where I camp as necessary - once above the arctic circle!

It was warm and comfy - but the problem was the zipper - the zipper blew out on my last trip - not the end of the world, but something to consider.

I would look for a bag with a durable zipper next time, and if it is tight on you that is even more important!

You want something that is not bulky, and that will be snug fitting for a fellow your size, so the quality zipper is a must.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[The Warrior]

Thanks for all the info guys, much appreciated.

 

[spoolup]

Guess I should have thrown this out there, Im 6'1" 210-220 lbs depending on season. my chest measure 45" around, waist is 39". Not that small of a guy, if I were you would get a long wide bag. one thing I noticed, the Wiggys are a little tighter than Kifaru, and most people think that Wiggys are roomy. In the 1st bag photo above you can see little difference between the long/ std Kifaru and the long/wide wiggy, but a few photos down you can see how the MOB is wider then slick. This is to allow them to mate up for colder conditions. The wide bags are an inch wider than the MOB bags use to be. So you get the idea.

Good luck on your quest. But I would pay a little more now if you need too since buying twice cost alot more.

 

[ROCK6]

Thanks spoolup for the comparison. I've made my mind up and planning on getting the Kifaru. I already have their G1 Woobie and a new multicam on the way. Temps here in Kabul, Afghanistan are in teens for lows and 40 degrees for daily highs. Since temps don't get that cold in GA during the winter for extended periods, I'm figuring on just getting the 40 degree bag and if need be, I can always add in a Woobie to increase the rating. I've never used material like their outer material and Climashield insulation. Without a doubt, it's the best I've ever used; it breaths exceptionally, drapes well and even though the Woobie seems "thin", it's kept me comfortable by itself with temperatures just under 50 degrees.

 

[The Warrior]

Good luck on your quest. But I would pay a little more now if you need too since buying twice cost alot more.

Thanks. You're right, gonna have to save a bit before purchasing.

 

[PayetteRucker]

I picked up a Kelty Mistral this fall for 50 dollars, and bought the long version. It has tons of room. -20 degrees-definitely a 2 season bag tops, or maybe 4 if you spend alot of time at 10,000 feet. It's a flat black and gunmetal gray color. Really clean and classy looking, sheds dirt, and the best part is the black heats up real fast, which means it takes minutes to dry the condensation out of your bag in the morning. Just put mine through its 4th trip. Downside is the bulk... any bag with that much insulation is going to be pretty poofy.

 

[The Warrior]

Downside is the bulk... any bag with that much insulation is going to be pretty poofy.

Yeah, that's the bad thing, but some bags do compress better than others.

 

[PayetteRucker]

if you really are set on the price range, Slumberjack has some large sized models that do really well. I have one of their Solara 35's and up until two months ago, it was my go-to bag for 3 years. Used and abused and loved every second... I paid 35 dollars for it from a retailer, which is the best part. Vented feet, adjustable draw hood, less than 3 pounds overall and came with a decent compression bag that would crush it down to negligible size.

 

[JV3]

@spoolup: thanks for the pics and write-up!

I picked up a Kelty Mistral this fall for 50 dollars, and bought the long version. It has tons of room. -20 degrees-definitely a 2 season bag tops, or maybe 4 if you spend alot of time at 10,000 feet. It's a flat black and gunmetal gray color. Really clean and classy looking, sheds dirt, and the best part is the black heats up real fast, which means it takes minutes to dry the condensation out of your bag in the morning. Just put mine through its 4th trip. Downside is the bulk... any bag with that much insulation is going to be pretty poofy.

have any pics of it in it's stuff sack compared to a 32 oz nalgene bottle? it's not just the amount of insulation but the type of it as well. pretty poofy is subjective, i want something concrete to compare it to spoolup's pics above

 

[PayetteRucker]

JV3, it's drying out on the porch as we speak. I like it so much I might just do a whole comprehensive review...

 

[The Warrior]

JV3, it's drying out on the porch as we speak. I like it so much I might just do a whole comprehensive review...

Look forward to it. Seems the only color is red?

 

[redpoint]

Basically, you need a big bag. These are hard to find. While expensive, Western Mountaineering makes a few bags with pretty big girth. Their Bristlecomb MF comes in a 6'-6" version and is a whopping 69" at the shdr/61" at the hip/48" at the foot and is rated to -10F/-23C. It's down is 850+ and weighs 4 lb 3 oz. It's a spendy bag, but you're asking for a fairly unique product. Western Mountaineering is unparalleled in quality and you can put it in your will. Made in the USA with a lifetime warranty. I realize that it's more expensive than what you want, but you may be able to find a used one. I bought a WM bag last year and couldn't be happier.

Scratch-that ... just saw the price you paid for your bag [$45] ... the Bristlecomb is in excess of 15x that price ... but it's big, light and extremely compressible.

 

[The Warrior]

Those look really nice, but $660, ouch. Poor boy here.

 

[redpoint]

Those look really nice, but $660, ouch. Poor boy here.

hehe - yeah sorry about that. They're spendy, but worth considering down the road.

 

[PayetteRucker]

Kelty Mistral Long (6ft 6 in) -20 next to a 32oz nalgene (sorry bout the BSU colors, yeah it's kinda corny...) and a 5500 cu Eberle Operator.

Compression bag is a US military issue that I paid 4 bucks for. The Mistral came with a total POS stuff sack that's already started ripping at the seams, and the cordlock that came with it was so flimsy and loose I already lost it.

 

[The Warrior]

What's the weight of that? Doesn't seem to compress too small.